Bookholder



E. KOPP BOOK HOLDER April 29, 1947.

2 Sheets-Sheet l fig.

Filed Dec. 29, 1944 U I I M I INVEN TOR. ERNEST KPP April 29, 1947. KOPP 2,419I721 I BOOK HOLDER Filed Dec. 29, 1944 4 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F 1 38 F1 I I I 1044 I III INVENTOR. ERNEST 'KbPP Patented Apr. 29. 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 11 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in book holders.

More particularly, the invention proposes an improved book holder which is characterized by a base and a book supporting member pivotally mounted on said base and extending upwards and rearwards and intended to support a book.

Furthermore, it is proposed to adjustably mount a wedge on said base to engage the back of said book supporting member for holding the latter in selected inclined positions.

Still further it is proposed that said wedge engage rack teeth on the back of said member for securely holding it in inclined positions, as desired. 15

The invention also proposes using more than one wedge for more securely holding the book supporting member.

Another object of the invention is the construction of a device as mentioned which is simple and durable and which may be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawing forming a material part of this disclosure Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a book holder constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational View of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a back view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line 55 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a back View similar to Fig. 3 but illustrating a book holder constructed in accordance with a modified form of this invention.

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of a book holder constructed in accordance with another modification of this invention.

Fig. 8 is a back view of the book holder of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a back view similar to Fig. 8 but illustrating the parts in a different position.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken on the line l0l ll of Fig. 9.

The book holder illustrated in Figs. 1-5 inclusive, includes a base H for resting on a table or other flat object. A book supporting member I2 is pivotally mounted on the front edge of said base H with hinges l3. The book supporting 55 adjustably mounted on the base said rack M for holding said book supporting member l2 in selected inclined positions. The top end of the rack M has a large downwardly projecting tooth l4 engageable with additional rack teeth l6 formed along the in- More specifically, the wedge l6 engages into a groove l1 formed in the top face of the base II. The bottom wall of the groove I1 is formed with rack teeth l8 which are-engaged by complementary rack teeth formed on the bottom of said wedge l6. Resilient means is connected with the bottom of said wedge l6 and is so arranged as to engage the rack teeth upon the bottom of the wedge l6 with said rack teeth l8.

The resilient means referred to in the previous paragraph is in thevnature of a leaf spring 20 which is disposed within the groove 2| formed in the bottom face of the base H. Several supporting elements 22, such as headed nails, or screws are mounted upon the bottom of the wedge l6 and support the spring 29. These nails or screws 22 pass through a slot 23 formed in the base H. The spring 20 has a low central portion and has its ends engaging the top wall of saidgroove 2|. The wedge l E has handles 25 by whichit may be moved.

The operation of the book holder is as follows:

A book may be rested on the book supporting member l2 so that it engages against the ledge l5. When it is desired to change the angle of the book supporting member'lz it is necessary that the book supporting member l2 be first pivoted upwards. Then the wedge l6 may be adjusted forwards or rearwards on the base H. To do this the handles 25 are manually gripped and moved upwards to slightly lift the wedge I6. This disengages the teeth on the bottom of the wedge 16 from the teeth is. Now the wedge I6 may be moved forwards or rearwards. Then the book supporting member I2 is rested on the wedge l6 in its newly ad uste position. The top apex of said wedge l6 willengage difierent ones of the teeth of the rack porting member l2 in a new inclined position or I4 and so hold the book sup-' the tooth M will engage the rack teeth It for this purpose.

. In Fig. 6 another form of the invention is shown which is similar to the prior form, distinguishing merely in the fact that the book supporting member I2 is provided with a pair or racks I4 mounted along its edge portions. These racks 14 are engaged by a pair of wedges l6 which are mounted along the edge portions of the base Each wedge is is similarly adjustably mounted on the base I. The wedges l5 are connected by a rod 26. Handles 21 project from the sides of the wedges |6 by which they may be adjusted in uniso 1 In other respects this form of the invention is similar to that previously shown and like reference numerals identify like parts in each of the several views.

In Figs. (-10 still another form of the invention has been shown which distinguishes from the prior. forms in the fact that the book supporting member I2 is provided witha central rack land with side racks H. In other words, there are three racks on the back of said member I 2. A platform30 is adjustably mounted upon the base II. This platform 30 has rack-like teeth 3| projecting from its bottom face and engaging in slots 32 formed along said base These slots 32. are formed with complementary rack teeth 33 normally engaged'by the rack teeth 3|. Each rack 3| is urged downwards by a leaf spring 34 supported by several headed screws or nails 35. These screws or nails 35 pass through slots 36 formed in the base Each leaf spring 34 is disposed in a slot 31 formed in the bottom face of the base ll.

Transverse yoke-like guide rods 3-8 are mounted upon the platform 33. A pair of wedges 40 with rackteeth H5 are transversely adjustablymounted on the yokes 38. In their spread. positions, these wedges 40 are engaged with the side. racks M, as illustrated inFig. 8.- I-Iowever, the wedges to may be moved together so as to be centrally located as illustrated in Fig. 9, and now they are cooperative with the central rack Id. The platform 35 has side projections 4|.

The operation of this form of the invention is similar to the prior forms, except for the fact that there is a choice of supporting the book supporting member l2 along its center, or along its edges. However, it is necessary that the platform 3U be adjusted forwards and rearwards on the base I] to adjust the longitudinal positions of the wedges 40 and so control the tilt of the book supporting member i2. The platform 39 has said side projecting portions 4| which may be used as handles by which the platform 3!] may be initially raised to disengage the rack teeth 3| and 33 and then may be moved forwards and rearwards.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A book holder, comprising a base, a book supporting member pivotally mounted on said base and extending rearwards and upwards, a rack on the back of said member, and a wedge adjustably mounted on said base and engaging said rack for holding said book supporting mem- 3 top projecting teeth, engageable with rack teeth formed on the her in a selected inclined position, said rack having a top projecting tooth larger than any of its other teeth, engageable with rack teeth formed on the inclined side of said wedge.

2. A book holder, comprising a base, a book supporting member pivotally mounted on said base and extending rearwards and upwards, a rack on the back of said member, a wedge adjustably mounted on said base and engaging said rack for holding said book supporting member in a selected inclined position, said wedge engaging in a groove in said base, said rack having a tooth, larger than any of its other inclined side of said wedge.

v3. A book holder, comprising a base, a book supporting. member pivotally mounted on said base and extending rearwards and upwards, a rack'o'n the back of said member, a wedge adjustably mounted on said base and engaging said rack for holding said book supporting member in a selected inclined position, said wedge engaging in a groove in said base, and rack teeth formed in' said groove and engaged by rack teeth on the bottom of said wedge, said member rack having a top projecting tooth, larger than any of its other teeth, engageable with rack teeth formed on the inclined side of said wedge.

4. A book holder, comprising a base, a book supporting member pivotally mounted on said base and extending rearwards and upwards, a rack on the back of said member, a wedge adjustably mounted on said base and engaging said rack for holding said book supporting member in a selected inclined position, said wedge engaging in a groove in said base, rack teeth formed in said groove and engaged by rack teeth on the bottom of said wedge, and resilient means urging said wedge downwards against said rack teeth, said member rack having atop projecting tooth, larger than any of its other teeth, engageable with rack teeth'iormed on the inclined side of said wedge.

5. A book holder, comprising a base, a book supporting member pivotally mounted on said base and extending rearwards and upwards, racks on the back of said member, and wedges adjustably mounted on said base and engaging said racks for holding said book supporting member in selected inclined positions, said member racks each having a top projecting tooth, larger than any of its other teeth, engageable with rack teeth formed on the inclined sides of said wedges.

6. A book holder, comprising a base, a book supporting member pivotally mounted on said base and extending rearwards and upwards, racks on the back of said member, and wedges adjustably mounted on said base and engaging said racks for holding said book supporting member in selected inclined positions, said wedges being transversely adjustably mounted on a platform, racks upon the bottom of said platform engaging longitudinally extending grooves in said base, complementary rack teeth in said grooves, and resilient means for engaging the racks of said platform with said last-mentioned racks.

7. A book holder, comprising a base, a book supporting member pivotally mounted on. said base and extending rearwards and upwards, a rack on the back of said member, a wedge adjustably mounted on said base and engaging said rack for holding said book supporting member in a selected inclined position, said wedges being transversely adjustably mounted on a platform,

racks upon the bottom of said platform engaging longitudinally extending grooves in said base, complementary rack teeth in said grooves, and resilient means for engaging the racks of said platform with said last-mentioned racks, and yoke-like guide members mounted on said platform and transversely adjustabiy supporting said wedges.

8. A book holder comprising a base, a book support hinged at its bottom to the front of said base and extending upwardly and rearwardly therefrom, said support having a rack extending transversely along its under face, said rack having its top tooth formed larger than its other teeth, a wedge disposed between said base and support and having a top face inclined upwardly and rearwardly and provided with rack teeth for coasting with said large tooth, and means for adjustably disposing said wedge in different transverse positions on said base including rack teeth on said base and cooperating rack teeth connected to said wedge.

9. A book holder comprising a base, a book support hinged at its bottom to the front of said base and extending upwardly and rearwardly therefrom, said support having a rack extending transversely along its under face, said rack iaving its top tooth formed larger than its other teeth, a wedge disposed between said base and support and having a top face inclined upwardly and rearwardly and provided with rack teeth for coacting with said large tooth, and means for adjustably disposing said wedge in different transverse positions on said base including rack teeth on said base and cooperating rack teeth connected to said wedge and resilient means urging said last mentioned rack teeth together.

10. A book holder comprising a base having two transversely extendin racks in its upper face, a book support hinged at its bottom to the front of said base and extending upwardly and rearwardly therefrom, said support having a middle rack and a rack on each side thereof extending transversely along its under face, said support racks each having its top tooth formed larger than its other teeth, two wedges disposed between said base and support and having a top face inclined upwardly and rearwardly and provided with rack teeth for coactin with said large teeth, and means for adjustabiy disposing said wedge in different transverse and different longitudinal positions on said base including rack teeth connected to said wedges for coaetion with said base racks.

11. A book holder comprising a base having two transversely extending racks in its upper face, a book support hinged at its bottom to the front of said base and extending upwardly and rearwardly therefrom, said support having a middle rack and a rack on each side thereof extending transversely along its under said support racks each having its top tooth formed larger than its other teeth, two wedges disposed between said base and support and having top face inclined upwardly and rearwardly and provided with rack teeth for coacting with said large teeth, and means for adjustably disposing said wedge in diiferent transverse and diiferent longitudinal positions on said base including rack teeth connected to said wedges for coaction with said base racks, and resilient means urging said last mentioned rack teeth together.

ERNEST KOPP.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,197,233 Flarnondon Sept. 5, 1916 1,336,981 Schirnrnel Apr. 13, 1920 1,780,872 Dumben Nov. 4, 1930 180,052 Northrop July 18, 1876 456,089 Harrison July 14, 1891 655,284 Thier Aug. 7, 1900 1,560,131 Achenbach Nov. 3, 1925 1,767,889 Wiberg Mar. 24, 1931 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 554,125 French Feb. 23, 1923 

